Spire Healthcare has been contacting patients affected by PIP since January to offer free removal and replacement of their implants. At the time of the initial MHRA alert and in the interest of safety, we took a prudent view and included pre-2001 patients as part of our overall recall.

6 January 2012

Spire Healthcare’s foremost priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our patients.

Current MHRA guidance is that there is no evidence of toxicity or adverse health effects arising from the filler in the PIP implants However, we take our responsibility to our patients extremely seriously and have become increasingly concerned by the level of anxiety they will be facing.

We are therefore offering every patient treated at a Spire hospital a free consultation with a specialist consultant surgeon and a screening scan. If, following their discussion with the consultant, the patient chooses to have their implants removed and replaced, Spire will arrange this free of charge.

Additionally, women who choose not to have their implants removed will also be offered a follow-up scan in two years’ time, or earlier should they have any concerns.

“We have a duty of care to our patients - their safety and wellbeing comes first. Women have been made to feel anxious about their implants, and we want to make sure that every individual patient is given the support they need to restore their confidence and peace of mind,” said Clinical Director, Dr Jean-Jacques de Gorter.

“We believe all private providers should step up and deliver on their duty of care to patients. Every woman in the UK who has PIP implants should be given the right to discuss having them removed if they wish.”

Spire is calling for the re-introduction of a national implant register. This issue has highlighted the need to have robust data available to improve patients’ confidence in both the NHS and private sector.

Information for patients with PIP breast implants

What should I do if I have had PIP implants at a Spire hospital?

If you had PIP implants at a Spire hospital we will be contacting you over the coming weeks to offer you a free consultation with a specialist consultant surgeon and a screening scan. If, following clinical advice from the consultant, you choose to have your implants removed and replaced, we will arrange this free of charge. If you choose not to have your implants removed you will be offered a follow-up scan in two years’ time, or earlier should you have any concerns.

It has recently emerged that PIP was manufacturing suspect implants prior to 2001. When Spire Healthcare chose to offer free removal and replacement to our patients affected by this, in the interests of patient safety we included any patient who had been operated on prior to 2001. If you had your operation before 2001 you are already included in our recall.

My operation wasn’t carried out at a Spire hospital but I want to have my PIP implants removed. What can I do?

Please contact the surgeon who carried out your operation, they are the best person to give you advice.

You can pay for a breast removal or replacement operation at Spire Healthcare, however we would like reinforce that current MHRA guidance is that there is no evidence to suggest routine removal of PIP breast implants is necessary. If you would still like to discuss having your implants removed, please contact your local Spire hospital. Click here for contact details for all Spire hospitals..

What should I do if I’m not sure if my implants are PIP?

Your surgeon should have provided you with documentation of the type and make of implant used at the time of your surgery. If you no longer have this information please contact your surgeon who should be able to provide details. If you cannot remember who your surgeon is please contact the hospital where you had your operation.

I have had implants but they’re not PIP – are there problems with any other brands?

The MHRA alert is only related to PIP implants.

I’m about to have a breast augmentation – how do I know I won’t have PIP implants?

All PIP implants have been recalled and they are no longer being used in any UK hospitals. Your surgeon will decide which brand of implant is the most suitable for you and they should be happy to discuss the different options available.